Extrusion device



April 27, 1943.

' EXTRUSION DEVICE Filed May 20, 1941 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 J? INVENTOR JOHN L. ELLIS ATTORNEY J. L. ELLIS 2,317,897

J. L. .ELLIS EXTRUSION DEVICE A jril 27, 1943.

Filed May 20, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR m M L E Y m L R H M O A J I April 27, 1943. J. 1.. ELLIS I EXTRUS ION DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 20, 1941 INVENTOR JOHN L. ELLIS ATTORNEY April 27, 1943. J. 1.. ELLIS I EXTRUS ION DEVICE INVENTOR JOHN L. ELLIS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I II R I i \Q l I Filed May 20, 1941 ATTORNEY tic such as doughnut Patented 27, 1943 barren STATES PATENT-OFFICE Exafiififiam I John L. Ellis, New York, N. Y., assignor to Joe Lowe Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May-20, 1941, Serial No. 394,276

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in extrusion devices, and more particularly to that type of extrusion device wherein the plastic is subjected to changing air pressure rapidly alternating below and above atmosphere to extrude the plastic material. The invention is particularly adapted for use in extruding an edible plasbatter.

Heretofore, extrusion devices of this general character which are known as vacuum-pressure .cutters have used a dough chamber intermittently connected to and disconnected from a supply hopper by means of a control valve; the dough chamberbeing alternately connected by a three-way valve to a vacuum control valve was opened to draw plastic from the hopper into the dough chamber, and then disconnected from the vacuum pump and connected to a pressure pump to build up the pressure in the dough chamber aboveatmosphere so as to expel the plastic from said chamber and from a forming and cutting die connected therewith, whereby the plastic was extruded 'from the dough chamber and formed and severed by the die. This arrangement also requires power driven mechanism for controlling the operation of the valves and of the forming and cutting die, in properly timed sequence.

One object of this invention is an extrusion device of the vacuum-pressure" type wherein the number of moving parts is substantially reduced.

Another object is an vacuum-pressure type which is small, compact, of low capacity, and which is relatively inexpensive to produce.

Another object is an extrusion device wherein the control valve between the hopper and the dough chamber and the forming and cutting die are combined together in one single unit adapted to be quickly attached to and detached from the extrusion device.

Another object of this invention is an extrusion device wherein the hopper and dough chamber are cast in one single piece.

Other objects will appear from the'detailed description which follows.

In the drawings comprising four sheetsof eight figures numbered Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive certain embodiments of the invention are diagrammatically set forth.

pump when the extrusion device of the relative to the frying kettle of the doughnut machine;

Figs. 2, 3, and a are diagrammatic views of the extrusion device of Fig. 1 showing the position of the essential parts at three difierent stages of the operating cycle; v

Fig. 5'is a plan view of thepower and control unit assembly;

Fig; 6 is a vertical cross sectional view of an electro-magnetic three-way control valve;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the piping system; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic form of control circuit for valve. 1

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts'throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The hopper II and vacuum-pressure chamber I2 are cast in one single piece, the chamber l2 being united to the hopper by means of the spiders l3 and H. The vacuum-pressure chamthe electro-magnetic 1 her is tapped at its upper end to receive a vacany suitable manner bolts 22 22.

uum-pressure pipe M. The chamber I2 is open at the bottom to forma female threaded throat l5 wherein the male threaded inner sleeve I6 is detachably secured. The inner sleeve l6 extends downwards through and beyond the bottom of the hopper, the m series of ports l8-l8 opening into 'tl'ilower end of hopper i I. The hopper is cast with a laterally projecting flange 20, the flange being drilled. to accommodate a series of knurled headed bolts I9 which are used to fasten the flange 20 of hopper II to a, series of supporting brackets 2l-2l. The brackets 2| are in turn attached to the metal cover 23 of the frying kettle 35 in The lower end of the inner sleeve [6 is outwardly beveled, and a sleeve cutter 25 is slidably mounted upon the inner sleeve l6 and is movable axially, relative to inner sleeve l6. A forming disc or disc utter 29 is mounted in spaced relation relative to the openlower end of inner sleeve l6 by means of a central stem 28 which is secured in the hub of a spider 21. Sleeve cutter 25 iiiv to sleeve cutter 25 under control of lever arm 30.

Fig. 1 is a side view with certain of the parts in cross section showing how the extrusion device and its associated control unit are arranged eludes an annular channel 26 wherein the pins 94 forming a part of the bifurcated lever arm 30 are inserted to impart axial sliding movement Hopper ll, chamber I2, and flange 20 may be composed of a relatively light, soft metal such as aluminum, while the inner sleeve I6 is preferably made of cast iron while the sleeve cutterview of an alternative sleeve l6 being provided with a,

as by means of the stove below the broken dot and three-way valve 32 thus connecting vacuum inlet imparting rocking movement to shaft 31 and.

therefore to bifurcated lever arm 33 by reason of its connection by way of coupling 33 to a connecting rod 34 which passes downwards through the cover 23 of frying kettle 35'to connectby means of a coupling 33 with rocker arm 33 of the power and control unit indicated generally dash line in Figl. The power and control unit is best understood by considering Figs- 1, 2, and 5, together. The unit consists essentially of an electric. motor 34 driven from a suitable source of electrical energy, motor 34 in turn driving the motor pulleys 32 and '33 which are mounted upon the motor shaft.

Pulley 32 is coupled to the, grooved pulley 33 of a speed reducer 43 by means of a drive belt 3|, thus driving the speed reducer and its associated parts. Motor .pulley 33 is geared to-a grooved pulley 43 of a vacuum-pressure pump 41 by means of a drive belt 43. The vided with a shaft 42 also drives the shaft 43 (Fig. l) which is-conillecgid to the rotary conveyor 33 of frying ket-' The disc 4i (Fig. 1) driven by shaft 42 of speed reducer 43 includes a box cam 33 and a peripheral cam 43. A cam follower 33 mounted on one end of rocker arm 33v engages in box cam '33. Similarly roller cam follower 43 follows the contour of peripheral cam 43. Cam follower 33 thus "controls the rocking movement of rocker arm 33 about shaft 31 to cause connecting rod 34 to impart rocking movement to lever arms 32 speed reducer 43 is proand 33 thus imparting axial sliding movement I to sleeve cutter 23 under control of a pair of op-' positely disposed pins 354 which engage the annular channel 23 of sleeve cutter 23.

Roller cam follower 43 rocks lever 33 which controls the opening and closing movement of a make and break switch 44' (Fig. break switch 44 controls all electrical circuit including the power leads 31 (Fig. 4) which are connected to a source of electrical energy. and an electrical circuit including the conductors 12 and 13 (Fig. 4), and a solenoid 1i Solenoid 1| controls the operation of the electro-magnetic 13 (Figs. 2, 4, 6, 7). Threeway valve 13 (Fig. 6) is connected to solenoid 11 by means of a plunger 13 which rises into the solenoid 1| whenever the energizing circult for said solenoid is closed by make and break switch 44. Solenoid Ii valve 13 by means of a male threaded collar 13 which engages the female threaded outlet 11 of three-way valve 13. Three-way valve 13 has a pressure inlet 33 terminating in a valve port 13, a vacuum inlet 33 terminating in valve port 32, and a vacuum-pressure outlet 34. Valve plungers 13 and 31 are mounted upon a rod 31 forming an extension of plunger 13. When solenoid 1| is .deenergized solenoidplunger 13 is released and falls by gravity to the positionshown in Fig. 6. In this position-valve plunger 13 seals valve port 13 thus cuttingofr communication between pressure inlet 33 and vacuum-pressure outlet 34; while valve plunger 3i unseals valve port 33 and vacuumis secured to three-way for driving a disc 4|; it

' by opening drain cook.

livery side 31 of 41 is connected by way of vacuum 1) the sleeve cutter 23 pressure outlet 34. (Fig.2), plunger 13 is drawn upwards into the magnetic field of the coil causing valve plunger 3! to seal valve port 32 thus disconnecting valve inlet 33 from vacuum-pressure outlet 34 while valve plunger 13 unseals valve port 13 thus connecting pressure inlet 33 with vacuum-pressure nected to a vacuum line 31. A drip oil cup 33 supplies suflicient oil to the pump 41 to lubricate the vanesof'pump rotor 33. Hand valve 33 connects an open ended perforated intake 33 with the input side 33 of the pump 41. Intake'33 is both perforated and open at one end to bypass the input side 33'of pump 41 and preventthe vacuum from building up to a point where the plastic material might be drawnthrough the vacuum line 31 back into the pump 41. Vacuum line 31 is connected to vacuum inlet 33 of three-way valve 13. Pressure pipe 33 includes a pressure regulating valve 33 having an exhaust port 33 and valve 33 is regulated by means of a flexible cable 3! which is connected to pressure regulating knob 32. To prevent oil from pump 41 from passing into vacuum-pressure pipe 14, an oil trap 33 is inserted in pressure pipe line 33 between the dethe pump'and pressure inlet 33 of three-way valve 13. Any oil entering oil trap 33 is trapped by bottom of oil trap 33 where it may be drained oi! uum in line 31 may lie regulated by hand valve "33, and the degree of "pressure in line 33 by regulating knob 32.

valve 13 is in' the position the vacuum side of pump inlet 33, vac- 34, vacuum-pressure pipe l4, and vacuum-pressure chamber 12. when solenoid "is energized rod 31 (Fig. 6) is drawn upwards to the position indicated in Fig. 2 in which When the three-way indicated in Fig. 6, then uum-pressure outlet position vacuum-pressure chamber 12 is connected to the pressure side of the pump by way of vacuum-pressure pipe l4. vacuum-pressure outlet pressure pipe 33 (Fig. '1) to the delivery side 31 of the pump. The flexible vacuum-pressure pipe 14 is connected to threeway valve 13 by means of hose coupling 33. A compound vacuum-pressure gauge 33 (Fig. "7) indicates all changes of pressure above or below atmosphere in flexible pipe l4.

Principle of operation At the beginning of the operating cycle (Fig. has been moved to its movement by the rocking ac- 34, pressure inlet 33.

downward limit of tion of lever arms 33 and 32 actuated by connect-- 33. and cam follower 33 ing "rod 34, rocker arm which at that time occupies the portionof box cam 33 shown in Fig. 1. Roller cam follower 43 is in contact with the curved section of peripheral cam 43, and make and break switch 44 is in open position hence solenoid 1i is deenergized leaving plunger 13 in the position shown in Fig. 6 thus unsealing valve port 32 and connecting the vacuum side of pump 41 to outlet 34. pipe l4 and vacuum-pressure chamber i2.

When'solenoid 1i is energized below and then to a bailie plate 34 and falls to the p 33. The degree of vac- "lar formation of plastic material.

thus reducing the air pressure in, chamber l2 below atmosphere. Due to the difference in pressure, the plastic in hopper ii is forced downwards .through the ports iii of inner sleeve l8 into the leading edge of the eccentric portion of peripheral' cam 40 whereupon make and break switch 44 is closed to complete the energizing circuit for solenoid Ii thereby operating valve l and disconmeeting the vacuum (or input) side 58 of pump 41, from outlet 84 and pipe 14. Cam follower 38 now enters the eccentric portion of box cam 39 (Fig. 2) to move sleeve cutter 25 upwards far enough to seal the ports l8 of the inner sleeve [6. Solenoid H in energizing causes valve plunger 18 to unseal valve ports 19 thus connecting the pressure or delivery side 51 of pump and pressure inlet 80, with outlet 84, pipe l4, and chamber I2, so as to build up the air pressure in chamber l2 above atmosphere.

The continued rotation of disc 4| causes cam follower 38 to enter the V shaped segment of box cam 39 (Fig. 3) thus forcing sleeve cutter 25 upwards so as to uncover the disc cutter 29. The pressure in chamber l2 now exceeds atmosphere thus forcing the plastic in chamber l2 downwards through the throat of inner sleeve I6'and over the forming disc 29. Forming disc 29 may be of any desired shape, but in the drawing a circular disc cutter is illustrated so that the .plastic extruded over the disc cutter assumes an annular formation.

By th -continued rotation of disc M, cam follower 38 re-enters the eccentric portion of-box cam 39 thus causing sleeve cutter 25 to move downwards over disccutte'r 29 to sever-the annu- The eccentric portion of peripheral cam all now passes beyond roller cam follower 63 bringing the cam follower into contact with the semi-circular segment of pheripheral cam 60 thus releasing make and break switch it and opening the energizing circult of solenoid ii thus releasing plunger and cutting on pressure from chamber l2. The continued rotationof disc iii causes cam follower 38 to engage with the semi-circular portion of box cam 39 thus moving the sleeve cutter downwards to the position shown in Fig. 1, whereupon the ports i8 in inner sleeve i8 are once more uncovered and the cycle of operations is repeated.

The mechanism and circuit for operating and timing the operation of solenoid 1i (shown in Figs.'1 to 4) may be replaced by the circuit shown in Fig. 8. The peripheral cam 40, roller cam follower 43, and make and break switch M are replaced in Fig. 8 by the metal interrupter ring '90, which is grounded at 93. One segment SI of the ring is insulated, to interrupt the circuit of solenoid ll at brush 92.- A suitable resistance 89 may be included in the circuit. Solenoid H may be connected to any suitable source of potential as for example grounded generator 88. Interrupter ring 90 is mounted to rotate in unison with disc 4!, so asto synchronize the opening and closing of the circuit of solenoid'li with the operation of the disc M containing box cam 39, which controls the operation of'sleeve butter 25.

What is claimed is:

1. In an extrusion machine and in combinainto, and an outlet through which plastic may be extruded out of, said chamber, a sleeve cutter mounted for axial sliding movement relative to said inner sleeveQsaid sleeve cutter defining a' common valve for controlling the opening and closing of. said inlet and. said outlet in succession, a pump operable to reduce the pressure in said chamber below atmosphere when the sleeve cutter moves" downwards to open the inlet to eifect entry of plastic into said chamber and to build up the pressure within said chamber substantially above atmosphere when the sleeve cutter moves upwards first to close the inlet and then to open the outlet to allow plastic to be extruded therefrom, and means for operating the sleevecutter and the pump in properly timed sequence.

2. In an extrusion machine of the feed hopper type, and in'combination, an air chamber associated with the feed hopper, an inner sleeve for housing plastic material removably attachable to said air chamber, said inner sleeve having, an inlet connecting with the feed hopper through which plastic may flow from the feed hopper into the inner sleeve, and an outlet through which the plastic may be extruded from said inner sleeve, a sleeve cutter removably mounted upon said inner sleeve for axial sliding movement relative thereto to form a common valve tion. aninner sleeve defining a chamber for a housing plastic material, said chamber having an inlet through which plastic may be admitted for controlling the opening and closing of said inlet and said outlet in succession, a three-way valve, a pipe connecting said air chamber to said three-way valve, said valve being operable to of feet a reduction of pressure in said air chamber below atmosphere as the sleeve cutter moves to open the inlet to effect entry of plastic into said inner sleeve and an increase of pressure in said air chamber above atmosphere as the sleeve cutter moves to, close the inlet, open theoutlet, and sever the plastic extruded through the outlet, and means for operating the sleeve cutter.

and the three-way valve ,in properly timed sequence.

3. In an extrusion machine of the feed hopper type, and in combination, an air chamber associated with the feed hopper, an inner sleeve for housing plastic material removably attachable to said air chamber, said inner sleeve having, an inlet connecting with the feed hopper through which plastic may now from the feed hopper into the inner sleeve, and an outlet through which the plastic may be extruded from said inner sleeve, a sleeve cutter removably mounted upon said inner sleeve for axial sliding movement relative thereto to form a common valve for controlling the opening and closing of said inlet and said outlet in succession, a pump, an air pipe connected to said air chamber, a; three-way valve connected to the input and delivery sides of said pump and through said air pipe to said air chamber, said pump under control of said to build up the pressure within said air chamber substantially above atmosphere as the sleeve cutter moves to, close the inlet, open the outlet, and sever the plastic extruded through the outlet, and means for operating the sleeve cutter and the three-way valve in properly timed sequence.

4..In an extrusion machine and in combination, an inner' sleeve defining a chamber for housing plastic material, said chamber having.- an inlet through which plastic may be admitted into, and a forming die outlet through which plastic may be extruded out of, said chamber, a sleeve cutter mounted upon said inner sleeve for axial sliding movement relative thereto to form a common valve for controlling the opening and closing of said inletand of said'iorming die outlet in succession and to sever the formations of extruded plastic, pump mechanism operable to reduce pressure -in said chamber below atmosphere when the sleeve cutter moves downwards to open the inlet to eilect entry of plastic into said chamber and to build up the pressure within said chamber substantially above atmosphere when the sleeve cutter moves upwards to first close the inlet and then to open the forming the outlet and formed by the forming die, and means for operating the sleeve cutter and the pump mechanism in properly timed sequence.

5. In an extrusion machine of the feed hopper type, and in combination, an air chamber associated with said feed hopper,an inner sleeve removably attachable to said air chamber, said inner sleeve having, an inlet port connecting with said hopper through which plastic may be admit ted into said inner sleeve, and a forming die outlet by which plastic extruded from said inner sleeve may be formed preparatory to severing, a sleeve cutter removably mounted upon said inner sleeve for axial sliding movement relative thereto to form a common valve for controlling the opening and closing of said inlet port and of said forming die outlet in succession and to sever. the formations of extruded plastic, a three-way valve, a pipe line interconnecting said air chamber and said three-way valve, said sleeve cutter and three-way valve being cyclically operable, to eil'ect a reduction t pressure in said air chamber below atmosphere and to open the inclose the inlet port, open the outlet, and sever let port/and to eflect an increase of pressure in said air chamber above atmosphere and to formations of extruded plastic. and means for operating the sleeve cutter and the three-way valve in cyclic order. A

6. In an extrusion machine of the feed hopper type, and in combination, an air chamber assodie outlet to allow plastic to be extruded through ciated with said feed hopper, an inner sleeve removably attachable to said air chamber, said inner sleeve having, an inlet port connecting with said hopper through which plastic may be admitted into said inner sleeve, and a forming die outlet by which plastic extruded from said inner'sleeve may be formed preparatory to severing, a sleeve cutter removably mounted upon said innerisleeve ior axial sliding movement relative thereto to form a common valve for con-l trolling the opening and closing of said inlet port and of said i'orming die outlet in succession and to sever the formations of extruded plastic, I a pump, 'a pipe line having one end connected to I said air chamber, a three-way valve connected tothe input and delivery sides of said pump and through said pipe line to said air chamber, said pump under control ofsaid three-way valve being operable to reduce pressure in said air cham- JOHN L; ELLIS; g 

